Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-07-21
A GOOD DOG STORY.
Translated from the French OF
Sacher Masoch.

The battle had lasted all day, and
night had set in. The sound Of fire.
arms might still be heard in the dis
tance. The wood was held by bat
TALON Of French marines, who had re-
ceived orders TO cover the retreat. The
whole village was on fire, from one end
TO the other. The heavy tread Of the
Prussian columns, as they filed through
the main street, resounded with dull
monotony on the icy snow. The
mounted officers were mufflcd in long
overcoats, and when the steeds snorted
the breath of the horses nostrils seemed
TO freeze in the air. The quiet, gloomy,
starlit sky, toward which a fog cloud
Of smoke scared upwards in the dis
tance. appeared to rest on broad
basement Of rivcn flame.
Outside the village extended the
large, open courtyard of farm
which, although it stood alone, had al
so become n prey to the dcvouring ele-
ment The conflagration had gained
the roof, cock-loft and cattlc-houses,
and formed steadily advancing sheet
of fire. A thousand lambent tongues
of flame shot beyond the charred
walls toward the orchard fruit trees
and the tall poplars along the road. A
corpse was stretched full length in
front of the courtyard door; but, be-
yond the Kissing and cracking of the
flames, every thing around was silent
and deserted.
Suddenly the mad howl Of n power
ful watch dog broke the stiffness Of the
gloom. In vain did the poor beast
wrench on the chain that throtted him
and howl at his approaching fate The
PrussIan soldiery, who had left house
and home, wife and children, to fight
their hereditary foe, were deaf even TO
the cries Of mercy which fell from the
lips of a human beng. How, then.
could such men be expected 70 stop in
their victorious career to unbind the
leash of so insignificant an object as a
wretched dog?
The battalion had already marched
by, and only a few stragglers remained
behind. One of them stopped, shoul-
aered his riile-strap, aud peered into
the yard. He saw the dog and pitied
the poor brute. The man was Pole,
aud had some heart He remembered
the dear old mastif which had left
home 70 follow HIM in the pressed
campaign and had died in a ditch by
the roadside. He cautiously entered
the blazing courtyard and approached
the kennel. The watch dog came out
and took confidence at the light blue
eyes and open countenance of the stall
wart deliveier. The Pole uustrapped the
leather collar and the poor animal was
free!
IL was large white dog, with woody
coat, long tail and pointed ears. 1t
started to follow the stranger; but, on
reaching the dead man at the farm
yard door. It drew near slowly, timidly
scented the lifeless body. and began to
whine. The faithful creature had rec
ognized its master, and began licking
his brown and callous hand. Vainly
the soldier beckoncd, called aud
whistledi he had to drag the animal
away from the corpse, after passing
round its neck a rope which had served
the purpose Of girdle TO the dogs
dead master.
The French had retired and the Prus-
sian battalion had pitched its camp on
the outskirts Of the wood. Fires were
kindled, and he who had wine or bran
dy in his gourd gave some TO the rest
The comrades drew near to Flayian
VOlnizki, rs the landwehrman was
calledi they looked at the dog and
made fun of the soft-hoarted "Polak."
He only frowned and held his peace.
The dog. who seemed to understand
that the jeering mood Of the soldiers
might influence his new master 20 get
rid Of him, caressed his hand with It's
nose, or looked up at him and wagged
its tail Still, for many days the ami
NAL refused all binds Of nourishment.
Oace only, while the column was on
march, and several men left the ranks
10 drink at stream. the dog went 10
the bank and tapped up the water with
feverish ayidity.
One day, fearful battle was fought
When tho struggle was over aud the
soldiers were gathered round their
camp-ket.lcs. the dog crouched at its
friends feet and looked up at him.
The Pole offered the now well-nigh
fainished animal the rind of a piece
Of cheese which had long been slowed
away In the depths Of his pocket. The
dog for a long time scented the food,
rs II 10 make sure that II belonged to
Ia master aud nobody else. The poor
creature this time accepted the prof
fered pittaneei II began to eat slowly.
and with sort Of dignity, like one
who does a thing merely 10 oblige an
otlscr From that day, the Pole got
The dog food from the country stores
which lie came across In thelong march
y over French soil.
One evening the sergeant Of his |